Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls
yet i will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour

I desire to have a thankful heart...when the sun shines and when the rain comes...and the rain does come...How will I choose to respond?

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit out of the mud and mire,
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God...

This is a song of deliverance...I like how it's raw. These verses have resonated in my heart through the years watching how God has done so much...sometimes my own words can't express it but these verses put a voice to the gratitude in my heart.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

I was talking to my friend this morning from Wisconsin. She has a way of pointing out all the ways God has been moving in my life...and then it seems we flip flop in our conversation and I share things I see God doing in her life...I love to hear her share the evidence. It's faith building. He is always moving and working whether we see it in the natural or not. I'm very grateful today to be a friend and have a friend who knows me inside and out. Ahh the beauty of friendship and encouragment. I always leave our conversation with HOPE... hope is an anchor...it doesn't disappoint!!... I was listening to this song yesterday. It reminds me Hope's Rising...

One big question mark
is plastered over your life
You're not sure where you're going
but something tells you it's gonna be alright

Chorus:
Hope's rising
Faith's growing
Letting go of not knowing it all
Looking forward turning over control not holding on
hope is rising

The dreams you once had
have been shattered like glass
Your confidence may be descending
but the truth is it's just begining when

Chorus:
Hope's rising
Faith's growing
Letting go of not knowing it all
Looking forward turning over control not holding on
hope is rising

Tag:
Just a little faith is all it takes

Inspired by Romans 5:2-5 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance; character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us....

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I was reading a book on poetry forms while driving out to Colorado w/ family. Thought I'd practice the forms and do some writing. What a place for inspiration!

This poem is called Mountaintop Dreams...(Shapely or Concrete form for anyone who cares. I find this stuff fascinating..words and how they roll off your tongue, how they sound..how they create a picture...ahhh!)

Monday, August 15, 2011

Our next songwriter's group cd project is novelty songs. This song was inspired from the world of online dating. Now, I've tried a few different sites out with no luv connection per say...but good stories along the way, interesting people I've conversed with, and I've learned more about what a squirrel I can be when talking to someone on the phone for the first time. Soooo I met a gentleman from Colorado. Along the way in our conversations, he was sick with a bad cold. I mentioned bringing him chicken soup if I were in the same state as him...all of a sudden the idea came for the soup to be personified...I re-read the lyrics of Gavin DeGraw's song, Belief... that was written from this perspective. This was one fun song to write and come up with a harmonica part. It was so out of my element. Thanks to my friend, Keith, who wrote the music and got me out of my folk music box...refreshing!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

My thoughts have been like the sea lately...tossing and turning as the tide comes in and while it goes out there's a peace that comes...Not sure where to go melody wise with these lyrics but I'm reminded of them today. Maybe if I were at the ocean I'd be inspired... I'm also reminded of Sting's Soul Cages cd...one of favorites.

A peace that transcends I can't comprehend...the struggle between unrest and peace is in front of me. I choose peace instead of dancing with fear. I trust and receive God's love. Under the shadow of His wings is where I'm staying..not looking at circumstances that are unsettling and always changing but looking to and at Him. He never changes. He's my refuge in the storm. This song is a good reminder to me today of His great love for me.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A piano...that's what this song needs to bring it to life. Maybe someone will play the melody I hear in my head or come up with a completely new one. Gotta love the piano! It changes the whole sound of a song vs. the guitar. My wise friend, Marilyn, shared something with me while I was recently going through some struggles in life. She said, "In order for you to move forward, you need to rest." I took her advice and a new song was birthed. Between the Notes
Are you living in a symphony
Where the music doesn’t sound beautiful
Is the volume getting louder
Clanging symbols with decibels out of your control
Clashing notes that want to soar
Like your life wrestling for control

Chorus:Between the notes on the page there’s a rest that is placed
So you can breathe, discover and dream
Let yourself go let yourself into that space
Between the notes
Between the notes on the pageLike an invitation you RSVP
Willfully you respond
With a little hesitation it’s been a season
Where your spirit has felt parched
Struggling just to make it through
When you’re not sure what to do

Repeat ChorusBridge:If you want to move forward step back fall back
don’t run away…don’t run away stay

This was one of my favorite co-writes ever...written with 2 friends from a songwriters group I belong to. Our group was asked to do a cd for the National Special Olympics games that were held in Lincoln, NE. We wanted to write a song that would be encouraging and fitting for the project and cause. It's always interesting in a writing session to see all the ideas that form, don't work and for the song to finally set sail. This song began from a title called Young Courage. We nearly wrote the whole song but the storyline was not coming together. Then one night we switched gears and whala..out came The Best Part of Me.
We ended up raising a few thousand dollars and 100% of the proceeds were donated to The Special Olympics. I'll never forget sitting around with our group for a jam session in Joy Huber's mom's basement... One of the athletes and his father were in from New York for the games. They had co-written a song on the cd called Everybody Wins. This precious, young man sang his heart out as his father played the song they'd written. We were all pretty misty-eyed.

Andy and Tommy born two years apart
Their Mother would say they were joined at the heart
They made up a game, what part of you’s best
Tommy would giggle and point to his chest
When kids mocked him Tommy didn’t know why
He’d turn to his brother with tears in his eyes

(Chorus)
Oh Andy why is it this way
I love to give hugs, dance and play
I don’t know why some people can’t see
My heart is the best part - the best part of me

Tommy had trouble with spelling and math
Sometimes the kids still treated him bad
When people stared he’d smile them away
But it still hurt and sometimes he’d say
Andy school’s easy for you to pass
I have to go to my special class

(Chorus)

Tommy found work at the Jack and Jill store
Sacking up groceries and holding the door
He was good help showed up rain or shine
He loved his job and smiled all the time
Andy came in and said hi one day
It made him feel good to hear Tommy say

(Chorus)
Oh Andy I like it this way
I have fun and I get paid
I know people can see
My heart is the best part, the best part of me

...Sitting in a circle booth at CRAVE restaurant for my birthday with a group of friends. Looking at them all thinking what a gift it is to have these amazing women as friends...each so unique, different, lovely, and gifted. A friend beside me shared how we are who we are by the people we surround ourselves with...or something to that effect...This idea became the bridge of the song. I sat on my bed that night and out spilled this song along with a melody...A reminder of how so many different people have impacted and helped shape my life in such special ways. Something I don't want to take for granted!

Change...nahh...something I'm not too fond of nor embrace naturally...especially when it all comes at once. After a season of the most change I've had in my life at one time... moving to a new place, having two of my dearest friends move out of state, a job of 11 years ended accompanied by some health issues..the result...being stretched in ways I could never otherwise be strrrrretched-it's in these times I've come to know God more intimately, being humbled, seeing God to provide financially one day at a time, casting fear out, and knowing I can't run from change because I will run into it....Hence, a new song birthed...

This song is part of the Unfolding of a Lovesong series that was written after watching the movie Once. One day a street musician and a flower-pushing piano player meet. She shares a remarkable sonic rapport with the mechanically savvy guitarist. As their musical sensibilities quickly converge to striking effect, the talented pair soon determines to record an album together. (The music was great!...I could have done without all the language.)

While writing this song, I enjoyed reflecting upon the phases my heart has gone through...

The Open Heart 5-31-10

I’ve been wondering when you’d get there
After years of rubble, rubble and ash
So much had to be burned away
The issues of the past
Look what I see

Chorus:
The open heart that was meant to be
The open heart I long for
The open heart sincerely
The open heart that was meant to be
The open heart I’ve longed for
Has a sign that says
I’m open not closed

I’ve been wondering what the next chapter
Of this story will be like what will it be like
Anticipation greets certainty that believes
Walk by faith not sight
Look what I see

Also inspired by Ephesians 1:17-18
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened...

This song was birthed from prayer...a desire... a hope...a dream... Marriage and family has been a lifelong desire of mine and a series of songs have been written about this journey...this being the first one. The course of the song completely changed after hearing a teaching on the throne of God and his love. Several themes of God's mercy, healing in my life and unconditional love stream through the lyrics. Although my desire has not been fulfilled yet...I continue to walk hand in hand with the "lover of my soul"... I still desire, hope, and dream...

Unfolding of a Lovewalk- 12-9-09
My heart is starving for what I need the most